CEO of Cathay Pacific Resigns Amid Continued Protests in Hong Kong

The CEO of Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific is stepping down, the airline announced on Friday, August 16. 

Various media outlets have reported how CEO Rupert Hogg faced pressure from authorities in mainland China to prevent airline employees from joining massive protests in the territory, which is now on its tenth week.

Share prices of the airline have also fallen this week to record lows in ten years.

A statement posted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange website on Friday said Hogg, a British national, had resigned “to take responsibility as a leader of the Company in view of recent events.”

Also announcing his resignation was Paul Loo, chief customer and commercial officer, who gave the same reason for his exit.

Media reports say China ordered Cathay Pacific last week to bar its employees from participating in the demonstrations and to submit the names of crew members flying to and from the mainland.

The airline has fired at least four employees, including two pilots, linked to the protests.

Hogg is being replaced by Augustus Tang of the Swire Group, the main shareholder of the airline.

Hong Kong has been in the grip of citywide protests from its citizens in recent weeks. Demonstrators are pushing against what they say is China’s increasing influence over the semi-autonomous territory.